Attempted abduction case may go to trial in Houston County this month
A former Macon man accused of trying to abduct a young woman at gunpoint from a Warner Robins dry cleaning business may go to trial in Houston County Superior Court later this month.
William Lawrence Carpenter, 30, was indicted on one count of aggravated assault, one count of attempted kidnapping and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime. The former employee of a wireless company has been under house arrest and electronic monitoring at his father-in-law's home in Leesburg awaiting trial, which could start Oct. 26.
Just after 2 p.m. March 29, 2012, authorities say an armed Carpenter threatened a then 19-year-old employee of Master Cleaners on Russell Parkway and repeatedly ordered her to get into a Toyota 4Runner. Kaylie Lopez refused.
Lopez took a photo of the fleeing 4Runner that Warner Robins police used to track down and identify Carpenter.
But according to a defense motion filed in the case, Carpenter claims he was golfing at Oakview Golf Course in Macon when the attempted kidnapping happened.
Carpenter said he was working on his short game -- chipping and putting, then returned to his 4Runner to put his clubs back inside when he noticed that his vehicle tag was missing.
He said he called the Bibb County Sheriff's Office to report that the tag was missing and also called a second time.
A prosecution motion also included in the court file noted, however, that Carpenter's work cell phone was tracked to within three miles of the dry cleaner just 20 minutes before the kidnapping attempt took place. Carpenter allegedly had tried to hide his phone from police.
The prosecution alleged in its motions that Carpenter pulled his vehicle alongside the dry cleaner in such a way as to leave a passenger side door open near the business's door while he went inside to try to kidnap Lopez, whom he apparently did not know.
Police were unable to find a connection between Lopez and Carpenter, according to motions filed.
"While the strength of evidence strongly suggests (Carpenter) committed these crimes, the police have been unable to determine how (Carpenter) chose his victim," said a motion filed by the prosecution against removing Carpenter's house arrest.
In seeking a bond modification, Carpenter's attorney noted the $220 monthly cost of Sentinel Probation monitoring, that Carpenter lost his job after he was charged, and that he and his wife had to sell their Macon home for $20,000 less than it was worth. Carpenter also wanted to attend the church that his wife grew up in while living in Leesburg.
His attorney also raised issues with how Lopez identified Carpenter.
Immediately after the abduction attempt, Lopez gave police a description of a white male with "short strawberry blond hair ... with a slightly scruffy beard." The suspect was described as wearing a blue T-shirt with writing on it and wearing a blue or gray ball cap with a tan bill. He stood about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and weighed 170 to 200 pounds.
But on April 2, 2012, a few days after the kidnapping, Lopez was only able to narrow the suspect down to two of six people in a printed photographic lineup by Warner Robins police Detective Mark Wright, according to a defense motion.
Efforts to reach Carpenter's attorney, Keith Fitzgerald, for comment were unsuccessful. Assistant District Attorney Greg Winters declined to comment on the facts of the case.
"We're just ready to go forward with the case and looking forward to the day in court," Winters said.
To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559 and find her on Twitter@becpurser.
This story was originally published October 18, 2015 at 10:38 PM with the headline "Attempted abduction case may go to trial in Houston County this month ."